Can't Stop the Growth

In today's Around the Campfire, Megan is joined by Kate Cinnamo, Executive Director of Explore the Trades!

They dive into how Kate and her small-but-mighty team are flipping the script on the trades industry—starting with kids as young as kindergarten. From plumbing to HVAC to electrical work, hear how they're breaking stigmas, partnering with schools, and empowering the next generation with careers that really make life work.

This is the pep talk the trades world needs!

Additional Resources:

Connect with Kate on LinkedIn

Learn more about Explore the Trades

Discover the Skills Lab Program

Follow Explore the Trades on social: @explorethetrades

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Chad Peterman | CEO | Author

Peterman Brothers Website

Connect with Megan Bedford

Connect with Katie Donovan

Learn More About CAMP Digital

Connect with our Sponsor, GoodLeap

More on PeopleForward Network

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• Start Early to Spark Interest: Introducing trades early helps kids see them as exciting career options.
• Powerful Partnerships: Programs like Ride and Decide connect schools and businesses to spark interest in trades.
• Essential Resources: Explore the Trades provides tools like apprenticeship maps, classroom kits, and grants to support education.
• Breaking Stigmas: Highlighting success stories and career benefits inspires more students to consider the trades.

Peterman Brothers's COO, Andrew Hasty, is taking over Can't Stop the Growth today, and he's flipping the script on what it means to lead! In a recent leadership training, Andrew challenges traditional views of leadership, emphasizing the importance of moving from philosophy to action.

Learn why consistent one-on-ones are the cornerstone of effective leadership and how fostering accountability, support, and growth among team members can lead to lasting change.

Whether you're a seasoned leader or an emerging one, this episode is packed with actionable insights to elevate your leadership journey.

Additional Resources:

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• The Power of One-on-Ones: Regular meetings with team members build trust, enhance performance, and address challenges early.
• Transformational Leadership: Shift from managing tasks to coaching people—empower your team to solve problems rather than solving them yourself.
• Accountability Matters: A leader's ability to inspire growth comes down to their willingness to take responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Celebrate Wins: Recognize and celebrate team successes to foster motivation and esteem.

In this episode, Chad chats with Jeff Blade, an accomplished executive leader with a wealth of experience as CFO of public companies, a CEO in private equity, and a transformative business advisor.

From his early days at PwC to leading an IPO at Vera Bradley Designs and guiding teams across industries, Jeff shares his philosophy on servant leadership, the importance of purpose-driven organizations, and lessons in adaptability and humility.

Tune in to discover how a focus on people-first leadership and a willingness to continuously learn can lead to extraordinary results in any business environment.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn

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• Leadership is about serving others and creating an environment where people can thrive.
• The best leaders evolve by observing, experimenting, and learning from others.
• Building purpose-driven organizations fosters engagement and exceptional performance.
• Leadership requires humility, perseverance, and an openness to feedback.

How do you build a winning culture in the skilled trades?

Chad sits down with Wyatt Smith, founder of Upsmith, to explore how gamification, recognition, and smart incentives can boost productivity and team morale. From real-world success stories to tips for celebrating behaviors that drive results, this episode is packed with ideas to take your team to the next level.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Wyatt on LinkedIn

Learn more about UpSmith

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• Recognition Drives Results: Consistently affirming employees' contributions fosters engagement and performance.
• Focus on Inputs, Not Just Outputs: Shifting conversations to the behaviors driving results—rather than just outcomes—leads to meaningful progress.
• Tailored Contests Matter: Segmenting competitions (e.g., for rookies versus veterans) ensures fair opportunities and higher motivation across all team members.

In this episode, Chad explores the key ingredient to great leadership: ownership. He breaks down how taking true responsibility—not pointing fingers—empowers leaders to inspire their teams and drive real results.

With five practical steps, you can learn how to set clear goals, create accountability, and motivate your team like never before.

If you're ready to elevate your leadership game and make a lasting impact, this episode is for you!

Additional Resources:

Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Peterman Brothers Website More on PeopleForward Network Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

• Ownership over Blame: Ownership starts when leaders focus on what they can control instead of attributing missed targets to others.
• One-on-One Connections: Individual meetings with team members allow leaders to understand personal challenges and provide targeted support.
• Motivation through Investment: Showing employees that their leaders are committed to their financial and personal success increases motivation and accountability.

In this episode of Around the Campfire, Megan sits down with Jeff Wright and Margot Schaffer from Nexstar to talk smart budgeting and brand strategy for home service businesses heading into 2025. They share why a budget should be more than numbers—it should tell your company's story. Discover practical tips for maximizing customer retention, aligning marketing and operations, and leveraging existing customers to grow without overspending.

Planning your 2025 budget? Don't miss this insightful conversation!

Additional Resources:

Discover Nexstar Network

Chad on LinkedIn

Chad Peterman | CEO | Author

Peterman Brothers Website

Connect with Megan Bedford

Connect with Katie Donovan

Learn More About CAMP Digital

Connect with our Sponsor, GoodLeap

More on PeopleForward Network

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Things to listen for:

• The Power of Brand Awareness – Discover why brand recognition is crucial for customer retention and how it can guide your marketing spend.
• Customer Retention Tactics – Get insights on retention strategies that reduce acquisition costs and drive profitability.
• Aligning Marketing and Operations – Find out how breaking down silos between departments ensures a seamless customer experience.
• Multi-Trade and Cross-Selling Opportunities – Hear tips on leveraging multi-trade services to maximize revenue from existing customers.

In this episode of Can't Stop the Growth, Chad Peterman dives deep into the challenges (and wins!) of leading remote teams with Matt Tait, CEO of Decimal. With 85 employees across five countries, Matt's mastered intentional leadership, accountability, and culture—even when teams are miles apart.

They unpack how to:

• Reinforce values daily so they're lived, not just listed.
• Balance empathy and accountability for a culture that's both people-centered and high-performing.
• Create clear, transparent communication that doesn't leave room for guesswork.

If you're leading a remote or decentralized team, this episode offers actionable insights to keep your people connected, accountable, and aligned—no matter where they are.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn

Discover Decimal

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• Intentional Culture Building in Remote Teams: Leading remote teams requires intentionality—reinforce values consistently so they become ingrained behaviors. As Matt puts it, he acts as the "Chief Repeating Officer" to keep Decimal's values front and center for his widely dispersed team.
• Balance Empathy with Accountability: A people-first culture doesn't mean compromising on accountability. Matt and Chad discuss how holding individuals accountable can actually reinforce the team's morale by keeping everyone aligned and focused on common goals.
• Address Conflict Directly for Stronger Teams: Conflict avoidance can erode trust and productivity. Effective leaders lean into uncomfortable conversations and model healthy conflict resolution, strengthening team cohesion and organizational health.

In this episode, Chad sits down with Alec Stefanovski, Editor of Homepros, to discuss key shifts in the home services industry. From navigating HVAC regulations to the latest in tech and AI, Alec shares insights on private equity's influence and strategies for staying adaptable. Perfect for leaders looking to stay informed on trends and smart growth in a rapidly evolving industry.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Alec on LinkedIn

Subscribe to the Homepros Newsletter

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Key Takeaways

• Adaptation and Technology: The HVAC and home services sectors are ripe for innovation, especially around tech and AI for improving operations, yet careful selection and management of these tools are crucial.
• Tech Integration Over Adoption: New tech tools like AI for call centers can enhance efficiency, but successful integration depends on using them purposefully and ensuring real ROI.
• Economic Uncertainty's Impact: Despite economic ups and downs, essential services like HVAC retain demand resilience, making them a solid investment and career choice.

Join Josh and Andy for part two of an insightful conversation with Landon Brewer, diving deep into the entrepreneurial journey, specifically focusing on scaling businesses in the home services industry. Landon shares hard-earned lessons about leadership, overcoming imposter syndrome, and navigating the complex transition from startup to a thriving enterprise. In case you missed it, listen to part one here. Josh Teekell and Andy Fuselier from SmartAC.com are revolutionizing the way we think about HVAC and plumbing through technology.

Addtional Resources:

Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Peterman Brothers Website Connect with Andy Fuselier Connect with Josh Teekell Learn more about SmartAC.com Connect with our Sponsor, GoodLeap More on PeopleForward Network Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Key Takeaways:

• Imposter Syndrome: Even at the peak of success, many leaders feel unsure of their worthiness, especially when others look to them for leadership.
• Scaling Requires Specialized Skills: The skills needed to grow a company from zero to $50 million are not the same ones required to scale to $300 million or beyond.
• Adaptability: Entrepreneurs must be willing to pivot, evolve, and recognize when it's time to hand over responsibilities to more specialized leaders.

In this popular re-release, Ron Kitchens joins Chad to discuss the transformative power of recognition and mentorship. He shares how acknowledging team contributions in meaningful ways can uplift the entire organization. Tune in for an insightful conversation on workplace communication, mentorship, and the impact of recognizing others' contributions.

Additional Resources:

Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Peterman Brothers Website More on PeopleForward Network Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Connect with Ron on LinkedIn Wichita Falls Chamber Learn more about Uniquely You

Key Takeaways

• Mentorship Matters: Having a mentor can change lives by opening up resources and giving the confidence to succeed.
• Communication as Culture: Great companies aren't just about profit; they build their success on a foundation of culture and caring, recognizing that validating and engaging employees is central to thriving, especially during tough times.
• Purposeful Leadership: It takes clear purpose, vulnerability, and balance between personal self-care and commitment to organizational goals.